Joselio Hanson may not know too many of the players on the current 49ers squad. He certainly doesn't know the coaching staff. But Hanson still enjoys going against his former team. And he'll get the chance to start on Sunday night with Asante Samuel sidelined due to concussion symptoms.
"I don't feel any pressure. I'm just going out there and play a game that I've played all my life," Hanson said. "I love playing on national TV too, so that should be real fun."
Hanson signed with the Eagles in 2006 and has started in 13 career games. Hanson has thrived in Philadelphia as a nickel cornerback and was rewarded with a new five-year contract in the 2009 offseason. Hanson will get the chance to prove that he's worth the contract as he will likely lock up early and often with 2009 first-round pick Michael Crabtree. Last year against the 49ers, Hanson was given the responsibility to go against talented tight end Vernon Davis and held him to a pedestrian three receptions for 43 yards.
Cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who will start along with Hanson, said that Hanson is going to be expected to slide in and do his job.
"You just wait for that next man to do nothing but the job he's supposed to do," Hobbs said. "(Defensive coordinator) Sean (McDermott) always tells us to be 1/11th of the defense. So far on the back end we've done a pretty good job of containing receivers and making plays. We have to continue that with whatever man is in the game."
And that's fine with Hanson, who has prepared no different for this week.
"I usually study like I'm going to start anyway, so nothing's really changed for me," Hanson said.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 3:50 p.m., October 8
